Paul Says in Philippian 3: 13 - 14 "Forgetting what lies behind… I press on toward the goal… "

Well, I whole heartedly agree with Paul! We need to press on but we also need to be able to forget what is behind! And I think most of us have a difficult time knowing how to do that.

Forgiveness is a decision you make to obey God and to walk, as a life style, in a higher realm by not allowing someone else actions or attitude to dictate your actions or attitudes.

Forgiveness is a decision even through some decisions can be very difficult, God .has been given us the ability to make them. Even if our emotions are screaming No! No!" We are still capable of making a choice to forgive. It is not really accurate to say "I can't forgive" .

Forgiveness is a life-style, it is not a one time act, but rather a life-style that has to be maintained. The opposite of forgiveness is unforgiveness and unforgiveness has two cousin -Resentment and Bitterness. They never call me, so I won't call them! They never write me, so I won't write them, "It is called resentment.

If someone walks in the door, and just that person very presence cause your blood presence to rise, then there is an issue of Resentment. At the mention of a name, you set a "check" in your spirit... That evidence that something is still wrong. And Bitterness will kill you spiritually, emotionally and physically.

I can't guarantee that after you have forgiven you won't be hurt again. In fact, I can almost guarantee that you will be. This is hard to do, but it is possible. And it is the only way we are going to really rise above the constant conflicts we have to deal with in human relationships.

How then can you know if you will allow God to use you as an unrestricted channel of His love for that person. If you are willing to obey the promptings of the lord to bless that person in whatever way He choose if you will let His love flow through you to them. Then you will know that you have forgiven.

We must forgive. This is a Godly absolute and God Absolutely Will Not Change His Stand On This! 1f you don't, your spiritual life will stay where it is until you are able to forgive. Psalm 66: 18 "If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear me".

I want to encourage you to ask the lord to reveal any unforgiveness that might still be lurking in your heart.

Tope Ekundayo
Co-ordinator Prayer Band C.L.E.M. Hqrs Ijebu-Ode.